Volumetric out-of-furnace heat treatment of 3600-M3 decomposers

Specifications require that all the welds in 12-m-diam. decomposers with a capacity of 3600 m³ be subjected to high-temperature tempering before going into service in order to alleviate the stresses from the welding operation. Specialists at the organizations VNIIPTkhimnefteapparatury and VNIImontazhspetsstroi have proposed out-of-furnace volumetric (complete) of the assembled decomposer with the use of special heaters. The use of this heating method has shortened assembly operations while providing the welds with a highquality heat treatment and reducing the stresses overall (including welding stresses, stresses from assembly of the decomposer, etc.) The technology ensures uniform heating of the housing of the decomposer and provides for close control over the process. The experience gained in heat-treating decomposers can also be used in the construction of other containers that come into contact with corrosive media. __________ Translated from Metallurg, No. 3, pp. 61–64, March, 2006.     

Improving Homology-Directed Repair in Genome Editing Experiments by Influencing the Cell Cycle

Genome editing is currently widely used in biomedical research; however, the use of this method in the clinic is still limited because of its low efficiency and possible side effects. Moreover, the correction of mutations that cause diseases in humans seems to be extremely important and promising. Numerous attempts to improve the efficiency of homology-directed repair-mediated correction of mutations in mammalian cells have focused on influencing the cell cycle. Homology-directed repair is known to occur only in the late S and G2 phases of the cell cycle, so researchers are looking for safe ways to enrich the cell culture with cells in these phases of the cell cycle. This review surveys the main approaches to influencing the cell cycle in genome editing experiments (predominantly using Cas9), for example, the use of cell cycle synchronizers, mitogens, substances that affect cyclin-dependent kinases, hypothermia, inhibition of p53, etc. Despite the fact that all these approaches have a reversible effect on the cell cycle, it is necessary to use them with caution, since cells during the arrest of the cell cycle can accumulate mutations, which can potentially lead to their malignant transformation.     

Kaiser Effect in Rock Salt

Using the results of experiments with rock salt samples under various loading regimes as an example, the regularities of the Kaiser effect formation and manifestation in rocks with plastic properties are investigated.     

Composite Powders with the Pseudoeutectic Structure in the Al2O3 – TiN System

The processes occurring in the synthesis of composite powders in Al₂O₃ – TiN system are considered for two variants: the first variant is the reaction of carbothermic reduction of TiO₂ mixed with Al₂O₃ with simultaneous nitration, and the second one is direct nitration of metallic titanium dispersed in aluminum oxide under high-frequency heating in a “cold” crucible. The synthesis produces submicron composite powders, which are promising for application in construction ceramics.     

Computer modeling of horizontal-stress control in stone beds

Simulated computer modeling of horizontal-stress control in a stone bed is described using the acousto-emission memory effect of the region around a hole. A principle possibility for control is indicated in the case of the equality of horizontal stresses for both random and anisotropic orientation of initial microcracks. A relationship is obtained between the pressure of the hydraulic transducer for which an increase occurs in the intensity of the emission and the level of the horizontal stress in the mass. Translated from Osnovaniya, Fundamenty i Mekhanika Gruntov, No. 6, pp. 9–12, November–December, 1995.     

Stability and Dispersion Analysis of Semi-Lagrangian Method with Hermite Interpolation

A systematic stability and dispersion analyses of the semi-Lagrangian linear advection scheme with Hermite interpolation is carried out for Courant numbers within the range 0 < C < 1. The results are compared with those obtained with the cubic Lagrangian interpolation scheme. The performance of the semi-Lagrangian method with Hermite interpolation is tested on two benchmark advection problems in three dimensions: translation of a cube and rotation of a slotted cylinder (3-D extension of Zalesak's test).     

A reference model for a flowmeter magnetic field for a computing experiment

A reference model is considered for a magnetic field intended for checking programs and algorithms defining the electromagnetic field in an electromagnetic flowmeter measurement channel. __________ Translated from Izmeritel’naya Tekhnika, No. 4, pp. 39–41, April, 2007.     

A Novel Method for Preparing a Batch of Silicate Glasses Using Sodium and Potassium Hydroxides

A novel method for preparing a batch of silicate glasses containing crystalline quartz, glass formers, modifiers, intermediates, and auxiliary components, including the physicochemical activation of high-melting batch components with the use of alkali metal hydroxides, is developed. The optimal technological parameters are determined and the general scheme for obtaining an agglomerate by the proposed method is presented. It is found that moisturizing the activated components of a glass batch with a KOH solution having a minimal concentration of 0.5% strengthens the agglomerate of the glass batch in comparison with moisturizing by water.